ATF Change - Seized Bolt

[WLeg]

I decided to change the ATF...easy.......... undo a few bolts, drain, turn TC, drain, new filter & gasket, bolt back together, fill up....

Except one of the bolts has seized. Law of Sod means it was the last one. So put it all back together, and now it is very slightly leaking. I assume I am going to have (to get – beyond me) to drill out the seized bolt, etc.

I’ve been quoted £210.00 (inc) for new filter, gasket, oil, and fix seized bolt, by Wayne Gates in Harrow. Is this reasonable and has anyone dealt with them before ?

What are my options other than above ?

 

[w124coupe]

The sump bolts have a very low torque setting combined which, combined with a nice fat (new & clean!) gasket makes a good seal - you may have overtightened them and therefore possibly distorted the sump.

That quoted price is in Merc dealer territory - how much of it is to sort the bolt out?

Haven't you already got the parts & oil? (Hopefully you weren't going to leave the gearbox innards exposed and empty of oil and buy the parts later....).

If you don't have experience in removing bolts of this sort I would use the dealer or independent - making sure the right ATF is used on refill.

Method used to remove the bolt depends on whether the head is damaged, snapped off or still there in one piece....

 

[BlackC55]

It can be drilled out. It is not a difficult job.

 

[Buggerlugs]

What Olly sez....

IMO, to drain, remove pan, drill out broken bolt, helicoil if necessary, reassemble and top up should cost no more than £100. HTH.

 

[J webb]

I decided to change the ATF...easy.......... undo a few bolts, drain, turn TC, drain, new filter & gasket, bolt back together, fill up....

Except one of the bolts has seized. Law of Sod means it was the last one. So put it all back together, and now it is very slightly leaking. I assume I am going to have (to get – beyond me) to drill out the seized bolt, etc.

I’ve been quoted £210.00 (inc) for new filter, gasket, oil, and fix seized bolt, by Wayne Gates in Harrow. Is this reasonable and has anyone dealt with them before ?

What are my options other than above ?

I have never heard of Wayne Gates in Harrow. I use a company called A&A Merctech in hoddesdon they are a independent Specialist Mercedes Benz Centre in Hoddesdon and I would highly recommend you use them. There number is 01992 470023.

 

[J webb]

I have never heard of Wayne Gates in Harrow I would highly recommend A&A Merctech in hoddesdon me and my husband both have our cars serviced with the guys there.

There number is 01992 470023

 

[jaymanek]

We had never had this and then twice in one week.. we simply heated up the stud and it came undone with big mole grips...

 

[vijilants]

we simply heated up the stud and it came undone with big mole grips...

Yep...this was the same approach that was taken by Martin's in Wimbledon (who is a merc gearbox specialist) when one of mine was seized. Came out with no problems and apparently it is a common issue.

 

[lynall]

A couple of sharp blows with a small hammer to the head of the bolt and the side of the casing where the bolt screws in often works wonders on seized bolts, bit of wd40 and every couple of days try to undo and retighten a little bit.

In fact i bet you could do the hitting, drilling and tapping if neccasary without removing the sump, not sure though as havent changed mine for a few months now.



Lynall